Chatelaine-clasp.



PATENTBD SEPT. 1, 1903.

B. VOM EIGEN. GHATELAINB CLASP.

APPLIQATION FILED DB0. 9, 1902.

2 SHBETSJSHBBT 1` N0 MODEL.

mvENmR M535 WITNESSES Benno Sm No. 737,912. PATBNTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

B. VOM EIGEN. Y

GHATELAINE CLASP.

APPLmATloN FILED D110. 9, 1902. No MODEL. a SHEETS-SHEET z.

INVENTORI y "E EIL-:L11 '1mm-Eig an. @die #www ATTORNEY ivo. 737,912.

BENNO VOM EIGEN, OF NEWARK,

Patented september 1, 190s.

PATENT OFFICE.

NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AUG.

GOERTZ t OO., OF' NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A FIRM.

CHATELAIN E-CLAS'P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,912, dated September 1, 1903.

Application filedDeoember 9. 1902l Serial No. 134,477. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, BENNo voM EIGEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the countyof Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful ImprovementsinOhatelaine-Olasps; andIdo hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in holding devices or chatelaine-clasps to be attached to belts or portions of garments worn by ladies; and the present invention is in the nature of improvements in the construction of chatelaine-clasps, with the principal objects of the invention being to simplify the general construction of the clasp and to provide an efficient and durable construction comprising a pair of pivotally-connected clasp members which can most readily be manipulated to secure the -clasp in its holding position upon the belt ,or

upon the garment and can justas readily be removed therefrom.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction of chatelaineclasp in which the use of a spring between any of the members of the clasp is entirely obviated.

Other objects of the present invention not at this time more particularly specified will be clearly evident from the following description of the same.

The present invention therefore consists in the novel construction of chatelaine clasp hereinafter more particularly set forth, and,

"furthermore, this invention consists in the various arrangements and combinations of the parts comprised in the construction of the chatelaine-clasp, allof'which will be more fully described in the following specification and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front view, and Fig. 2 a rear View, of one form of chatelaine-clasp einbodying the principles of my present invention. Fig. 3 isa side view of the chatelainecatch, illustrating the clamping members of the catch in their engaged relation with a portion of a belt, the belt being represented in transverse vertical section. Fig. 4 is a similar View of the catch, but representing the clamping members of the catch in their disengaged relation with the belt. Fig. 5 is a central vertical section of the chatelaineclasp, the members thereof being represented in their engaged relation; and Fig. 6 is a similar section of the clasp, illustrating the members of the device in their disengaged relation. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 7 7 in Fig. 3 with the belt removed and looking in the direction of the arrow Figs. 8 and 9 are an inner face view and an edge View, respectively, of the front or face plate of the device. Fig. lO is a face View of the back plate of the device, and Fig. 1l is a collective perspective View of both of the said plates, representing the said plates in their positions when they are about to be assembled and before certain parts on the faceplate are bent into shape to provide the nonseparable but movable arrangement of the clamping members of the device.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the above-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

In the said drawings, the reference character l indicates the complete chatelaine-clasp, the same comprising an ornamental faceplate or member 2 and a back plate or rear clamping member 3. The said face-plate or member 2 is made of any suitable metal, having any desirable ornamental marginal configuration, as 4, and is provided on its face with any desired ornamentation 5, as clearly illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings. At its lower end portion 6 the said face-plate or member 2 is made with tongues or lips 7, and its upper end portion 8 of the said face-plate or member 2 is made with a rearwardly-extending rib or projection 9, which is slightly bent downward to form a holding or clampf ing lip l0 and also has an upwardly-extending finger-piece 11, all of whichlwill be clearly seen' from an inspection of the several Iig- IOO l preferably of marginal configuration 13, similar to the marginal conguration 4 of the face-plate 2, and a tongue 14, which is connected with said body 13 by means of a part `15, so as to form a hook-shaped rear member having the space 16 between the body 12 and the tongue 14, in which a belt or other portion of a garment, to which the device is to be attached, is arranged in the manner hereinafter more particularly described. The said tongue 14 is preferably made along its side edges with outwardly-curved portions 17, which serve as holding-pieces for grasping the device between the thumb and finger when the two members 2 and 3 are to be brought from their closed positions (indicated in Figs. 3 and 5) to their normally-separated positions (represented in Figs. 4and 6 of the drawingsg) but these holding portions 17 are not an absolute necessity and may be dispensed with, if desired. The said main body 12 is made at its lower end portion with a downwardlyprojecting extension or arm 18, which is bent into an eye or loop 19 or other suitable holding means from which a chatelaine or other chain may be suspended, as will be clearly understood. The said main body 12 is also provided with a laterally-extending slot or opening 20, having at the respective ends of said slot or opening 2O the angularly-arranged open portions 21, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 7, 10, and 11. The face-plate or member 2 is also provided with a rearwardly-extending clampingjaw 22, preferably formed with the holding or grasping teeth or serrations 23, as illustrated, and provided also with normally angularly arranged ears or lugs 24 at the opposite side edges of the said jaw 22, as will be clearly seen from an inspection of Figs. S, 9, and 11 of the drawings.

In assembling the two members 2 and 3 of the device to provide an operative chatelaineclasp the two members are placed opposite each other, as represented in Fig. 11, so that the jaw 22 and its ears orlugs 24 can be passed into and through the openings 2O and 21 in the main body 12, the extension or arm 18 of the said body 12 being arranged in the space between the two tongues or lips 7 on the faceplate 2 of the device.

By means of proper tools or machinery the said lips 7 are then bent over the lower edge and against the inner face of the said main body 12, as clearly indicated in Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive, whereby the two members 2 and 3 are pivotally connected at their lower ends in the man-ner of a hinge, as will be clearly evident. The ears or lugs 24 are also bent in such a manner that they will lie in the same plane of the jaw 22, or approximately so,whereby the said ears or lugs 24 will respectively extend directly across the open portions 21 at the ends of the slot or opening 2O in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings and whereby the edges 25 of the said ears or lugs 24 are brought against the inner face of the main body 12 when the two pivotally-connected members 2 and 3 are in the positions represented in Figs. 4 and 6, thereby limiting the movement of said members and preventing said members from being brought in inoperative separation.

When the connected members 2 and 3 are in the positions indicated in said Figs. 4 and 6, then a belt or portion of a garment can be readily inserted in the space 16 between the body 12 and the tongue 14 of the rear clamping device, the holding or clamping lip 10 of the rib or projection 9 of the member or faceplate 2 resting forcibly with a spring-like ac tion upon the connecting member or part 15 between the said body 12 and the tongue 14, as represented in Figs. 4 and 6, and when the two members 2 and 3 are pressed toward each other then this holding or clamping lip 10 will be forced directly over the curved surface of the said member or part 15 and become located in its holding or clamping relation with the edge portion 26 of said member or part 15, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. At the same time the holding or grasping edge of the jaw 22 is brought in engagement with the belt or garment to retain the chatelaine-clasp in its wearing position upon thebelt or garment, the said clamping lip or tongue 10 acting as a holding-catch to prevent any accidental separation ofthe two members 2 and 3, as will be clearly understood. When it'is desired to remove the chatelaine-clasp from the belt or garment, all that is necessary is to apply a slight pressure in the direction of the arrow L/ in Fig. 3 against the finger-piece, whereby the two members 2 and 3 are easily separated useful, simple, and effectively-operating safety catch or clasp for chatelaines which can be quickly and easily manipulated for its proper attachment upon a belt or a portion vof a garment, and there being no separate spring used with the members of the device thedanger of the device becoming inoperative due to the weakening or breaking of the spring is entirely obviated.

I am aware that changes may be made in lthe arrangements and combinations of the parts, as wellas in the detailsof the construction thereof, without departing from the scope of my present invention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the parts as described in the foregoing specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of any of the said parts.

Having thus described my invention, what 1. `A chatelaine-clasp, comprising, a pair IOO IOS

IlO

of pivotally-connected members, one of said members having openings 20 and 21 and being provided with means for the arrangement of said clasp upon a belt, or the like, a grasping-jaw on said other member extending into and through said openings in the other member, and angularly-arranged lugs on said grasping-jaw, said lugs extending across the openings 21 to limit the pivotal movement of said members, and a holding-catch on said member which is provided with said jaw, said holding-catch being in sliding and holding engagement with a portion of the other member, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

2. A chatelaine-clasp, comprising, a pair of pivotally-connected members, one of said members having openings 20 and 21 and being provided with means for the arrangement of said clasp upon a belt, or the like, agrasping-jaw on said other member extending into and through said openings in the other member, and angnlarly-arranged lugs on said grasping-jaw, said lugs extending across the openings 21 to limit the pivotal movement of said members, a rib on said member which is provided with said jaw, and a holding-lip on said rib in sliding and holding engagement With a portion of said other member, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A chatelaine-clasp, comprising, a pair of pivotally-connected members, one of said members having openings 2O and 21 and being provided with means for the arrangement of said clasp upon a belt, or the like, a grasping-jaw on said other member extending into and through said openings in the other member, and angularlyarranged .lugs on said grasping-jaw, said lugs extending across the openings 21 to limit the pivotal movement of said members, a rib on 'said member which is provided with said jaw, and a holding-lip on said rib in sliding and holding engagement with a portion of said other member, and a finger-piece on said lip, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. A chatelaine-clasp, consisting, essentially, of two pivotally-connected members 2 and 3, said member3 comprising a main body having openings 2O and 21, a part l5 on said member 3 and a'tongue connected With said part 15 constructed to form a suspension-hook for the arrangement of said clasp upon a belt, or the like, a grasping-jaw on said member 2 extending into and through said openings in the mem ber 3, and angularly-arranged lugs on said grasping-jaw, said lugs extending across the openings 21 to limit the pivotal movement of said members 2y and 3, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. A chatelaine clasp, consisting, essentially, of two pivotally-connected members 2 and 3, said member 3 comprising a main body having openings 2O and 21, a part 15 on said member 3 and a tongue connected with said part 15 constructed to form a suspensionhook for the arrangement of said clasp upon a belt, or the like, a grasping-jaw on said member 2 extending into and through said openings in the member 3, and angularlyarranged lu gs on said grasping-jaw, said 1u gs extending across the openings 2l to limit the pivotal movement of said members 2 and 3, and a holding-catch on said member 2, said catch being in sliding and holding engagement with the part l5. of said member 3, substantially as and for the purposes, set forth.

6. A chatelaine clasp, consisting, essentially, of two pivotally-connected members 2 Aand 3, said member 3 comprisinga main body having openings 2O and 21, a part 15 onrsaid member 3 and a tongue connected with the said part 15 constructed to form a suspensionhook for the arrangement of said clasp upon a beltor the like, a grasping-jaw on said member 2 extending into and through said openings in the member 3, and angularlyarranged lugs on said grasping-jaw, said lugs extending across the openings 21 to limit the pivotal movement of said members 2 and 3, a rib on said member 2, and a holding-lip on said rib in sliding and holding engagement with said part 15 of said member 3, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. A chatelaine clasp, consisting, essentially, of two pivotally-connected members 2 and 3, said member 3 comprising a main body having openings 20 and 21, a part 15 on said member 3 and a tongue connected with said part 15 constructed to form a suspensionhook for the arrangement of said clasp upon a belt or the like, a grasping-jaw on said member 2 extending into and through said ICO openings in the member 3, and angularlyarranged lugs on said grasping-jaw, said lugs extending across the openings 21 to limit the pivotal movement of said members 2 and 3, a rib on said member 2, and a holding-lip on said rib in sliding and holding engagement with said part l5 of said member 3, and a nger-piece on said lip, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

S. The herein-described chatelaine-clasp, consisting, essentially, of a pair of members 2 and 3, said member 3 comprising a main body having openings 2O and 21, a part 15 on said member 3 and a tongue connected with said part 15 constructed to form a suspensionhook for the arrangement of the clasp upon a belt, or the like, a grasping-jaw on said member 2 extending into and through said openingsin the member 3,tongues7on said member 2 bent over the edge of said member 3 Whereby said members are pivotally connected, and angularly-arranged lugs on said graspingjaw extending across the openings 21 to limit the pivotal movement of said members, and a holding-catch on said member 2, said catch being in sliding and holding engagement with said part 15 on said member 3, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. The herein-described chatelaine-clasp, consisting, essentially, of a pair of members 2 and 3, said member 3 comprising a main IIO IZO

body having openings 20 and 21, a part 15on said member 3 and a tongue connected with said part 15 constructed to form a suspensionhook for the arrangement of the clasp upon a belt, or the like, a grasping-jaw on said member 2 extending into and through said openings in the member 3, tongues'7 on said member 2 bent over the edge of said member 3 Wherebysaid members are pivotally connected, and angularly arranged lugs on said grasping-jaw extending across the openings 2l to limit the pivotal vmovement of said members, a rib on said member 2, and a holdinglip on said rib in sliding and holding engagement with said part 15 of said member 3, subhook for the arrangement of the clasp upon a belt, or the like, a grasping-jaw on said mem-V ber 2 extending into and through said openings in the member 3, tongues 7 on said member 2, bent over the edge of said member 3 BENNO VOM EIGEN.`

Witnesses:

FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL, GEO. D. RICHARDS. 

